New Medical Exam Rule Enacted for Commercial Drivers
A more stringent rule will be applied starting in May 2014 to commercial drivers seeking to renew their licenses.
New standards are being created for drivers seeking commercial licenses. Under a new federal rule, medical examinations will count toward qualification for commercial licenses only if they are done by health care providers trained for this type of examination.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, commercial drivers such as truckers and bus drivers will now be subjected to more intense health exams in an attempt to prevent accidents related to health issues those drivers may have. These issues range from vision impairment to chronic stress, sleep apnea, and many more issues.
These medical exams are required at least every two years to renew commercial motor vehicle licenses. This new federal requirement will be effective in May 2014.